6 Small Desks We Love

Although there’s no standard size for typical desks, they are commonly 48, 60, or 72 inches wide and 24, 30, or 36 inches deep, according to Houzz. A great small desk would have smaller dimensions but still provide enough space for at least a laptop.

Because of their simplicity, the best small desks require little or no assembly. Desks that can fold or roll away are ideal if you don’t need a permanent workspace, especially in a room that does double duty, such as the living room. For folding desks especially, look for owner reviews or product descriptions that mention the legs locking in place when the desk is in use. For desks with wheels, look for owner reviews that talk about how smoothly the desk rolls and whether the wheels can be locked.

The desks we’re highlighting here are all relatively affordable, ranging from just $25 to $170. We’ve noticed frequent stock shortages with a couple of these (as with most home-office items during the pandemic), but you can consider these suggestions as a sort of sampling of the variety of small-desk options out there. We generally prioritized utility over beauty for a cheap, small desk that might do light duty. But there’s a wide enough range of small desks available that anyone should be able to find one that suits their style.

4NM Folding Desk ($70 at the time of publication)

Up until March, I generally worked from home at my husband’s desk. After all, he was at his office and didn’t need it. But once lockdown measures hit New York City, my husband and I, along with our two kids, grabbed any open surface we could find to work or study on (usually the kitchen table). I even resorted to working on my daughters’ bunk bed, since it was in the only room that locked in our tiny apartment. This fall I finally invested in two 4NM Folding Desks—one for my 7-year-old and one for myself. They fold easily so they can be tucked in a closet or propped up against a wall when not in use. And when the desk is open, the surface provides just enough room for a laptop, a keyboard, a lamp, and a book or notepad. They’re not perfect: They wobble a bit, and the faux-wood top looks a little cheap. But I think for the price they’re great, and they completely serve our needs. I’m still using mine in my new apartment, where I have a small separate office, because I can tuck it away when family eventually comes to visit and we need to use the office as a guest room.

Dimensions: 31.5 by 17 by 29.7 inches; 2.55 inches deep when folded
Materials: metal and engineered wood
Available finishes: natural/white, black, brown/black, gray/black, natural/black, rustic brown/black

Tangkula Laptop Desk (about $75 at the time of publication)

I’ve wheeled the Tangkula Laptop Desk from my living room to my dining room and back, as a makeshift workspace for my daughter when she needs to attend online classes (and to get out of the way of the rest of us, who are also in online meetings in shared spaces). It can easily tuck into a corner, yet it has room for both a laptop and a mouse, or other small items like a notebook or a glass of water. Because the laptop platform tilts up to 45 degrees, getting the right typing angle is easy, whether you’re sitting on the couch or on a dining chair, and it’s also height-adjustable, from 24.5 inches to 36 inches. Unlike similar mobile carts, this one has raised edges to prevent laptops and tablets from slipping and crashing onto the floor—a non-negotiable feature when you’re mixing young kids and expensive technology.

Dimensions: 25.5 by 15.5 by 35.5 inches
Materials: metal and engineered wood (MDF)
Available finishes: black/steel

We’ve noticed stock issues with this item. We’ll update this article once it’s available again.

Jamesdar Core Folding Desk ($130 at the time of publication)

In my cozy apartment, open space is precious. To preserve room, I love that my office can appear when I need it and tuck away when I don’t. This simple desk by Jamesdar is sturdily built and looks more expensive than the number on the price tag would suggest. I love the little shelf, which creates a separate place for my desk lamp, a candle, or any small items I want to keep up and out of the way. The shelf is also great for raising my laptop camera to a more-flattering angle during video meetings. The main desktop is deep and wide enough to feel roomy when I’m working, and yet the entire desk hides behind my bedroom door when it’s not in use. Plus, when we are able to have company again, the desk can double as an extra serving table for coffee or snacks. I love a good multitasker.

Dimensions: 32.1 by 26 by 32.3 inches
Materials: metal and engineered wood
Available finishes: gray oak/black

Flash Furniture Training Table ($75 at the time of publication)

My husband and I worked from home together for years before the pandemic. Our apartment was too small for an office, but we had a lovely bay window that perfectly fit this long, narrow folding table from Flash Furniture. It’s large enough that two adults can sit side by side without tangling elbows, and its width is decent enough if you’re working on a laptop (though you shouldn’t expect to fit a full, ergonomic setup). This table is also sturdy: I’ve tested everything from 3D printers to soldering irons on it with minimal wobbles. Now that we each have our own offices and real desks, we put it to work as a buffet table for our dinner guests. Then it folds away for easy storage.

Dimensions: 72 by 18 by 30.3 inches
Materials: metal and plywood
Available finishes: pine/black

Olsari Wood Writing Desk ($170 at the time of publication)

After a long, arduous search for a decent-looking small desk that was in stock, I found this one at Target. The size is right for an adult human working in a small space, but it’s also something an elementary-school kid can grow into a bit. The look is modern, but this desk can still blend into a home with more-traditional decor (like ours). For our 6-year-old, it’s a bit high as a writing surface (though it could work if you have a tall chair); we put an iMac on top and it has served her well.

Dimensions: 44 by 19.8 by 30.5 inches
Materials: engineered wood and wood
Available finishes: white, blue

Mainstays Writing Desk ($25 at the time of publication)

This fall, with Zoom school looming and desks selling out everywhere, I added this little desk to my grocery delivery order on a desperate whim. It arrived in a box the length of a compact ironing board, and since it was only $25, I assumed it would be a cheap-looking disappointment. To my delight, it’s a rather lovely desk that was easy to assemble and actually looks quite nice in my daughter’s room. This desk is the perfect width to hold a laptop and some writing paper, and it’s a great height for a 6-year-old girl (though many reviewers say their high schoolers are happy sitting at this desk too). The shelves are useful for storing books and sundry school supplies, and the matte finish is easy to wipe down.

Dimensions: 31.5 by 15.6 by 28.9 inches
Materials: engineered wood
Available finishes: black, white, rustic pine